Project Canvas TV on Demand Project Could Be Delayed Until 2011
The Project Canvas heralded as the future of TV on demand and application driven IPTV that is currently being developed by the BBC may be delayed until 2011.
The finalised report will be ready this year and the go out for still more industry consultation, but it is expected to be a final decision.
Canvas is expected to drive the coming wave TV on demand and catch up tv solutions. However it is coming under fierce attack from its two big rivals, Sky and Virgin Media who are dismissive about Canvas even though they have been invited to place their content on the platform. Of course they dont like the fact that its a free platform for viewers who don’t want to upgrade to subscription services.
The Sky and Virgin opposition now carries with it a very real chance the trust could either rule Canvas out, or further delay it.
The Head of Future Media and Technology at the BBC, Erik Huggers has warned that the debates around Project Canvas going on within the BBC Trust could delay the project until 2011.
With the likes of Sky fiercely against the BBC’s involvement in Canvas, the Trust is taking its time considering whether to push on with the IPTV project.
Huggers also believes that the Trust’s delays are going to slow Project Canvas’ arrival to the market.
“My hope is that before the end of this year we will get interim conclusions from the BBC Trust,” Huggers said at The Media Festival in Manchester, and quoted in the Telegraph.
“If we get those and they are pointing in the right direction – if they are positive – then I am fairly confident that it is possible to launch in 2010, although it will be towards the end of 2010.
“If we do not get those, I’m afraid we will not be able to launch until 2011.”
The BBC have always said that the set-top boxes would be available by Christmas 2010, and it appears that Huggers is trying to pile on pressure for the Trust to hurry up on approval so this is the case.
But Sky and Virgin would be more than happy to see that date extended whilst they try and mop up the customer base.
Related News:
- Project Canvas Shows The Future Of Internet TV
- BBC Deliver More Details About Project Canvas
- Sky trying to stifle Project Canvas Free TV
- Project Kangaroo killed before it can walk
- Catch Up TV Growing In Popularity In Europe
[...] provider Virgin Media has issued a complaint to Ofcom about the web-TV platform Project Canvas, by stating that the standards based service “stifles innovation” and stating the project as [...]